The Restoration Church of Jesus Christ

"The Word of Wisdom" -- God's Law of Health

• In 1833, the Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith the "Word of Wisdom," a law of health, given to all members of the Church. This law of health instructs us that wine, strong drink, hot drinks, and tobacco are not good for mankind. In addition to those prohibitions, the Word of Wisdom also gives us information about what is GOOD for our bodies, such as herbs, fruits in the appropriate seasons, and moderation in the use of meat.
• When this revelation was originally given, the Lord informed us that it was not intended to be a commandment, and not given by constraint, but "showing the will and order of the Lord in the temporal salvation of the saints in the last days." In the Restoration Church of Jesus Christ, we believe the Lord knew what He was doing when He instructed that this revelation be given, not as a commandment, but as good advice which He recommends to latter-day saints.
• For this reason, we teach the Word of Wisdom as the advice of the Lord, and we encourage members of the Church to abide by its principles. Because it is not a commandment, however, the Word of Wisdom is not used as a basis for judgment about temple recommends, or worthiness for positions or callings in the Church.